2006 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 580 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2006 reports, 15 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020
Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.
If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.
Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 10, 2010
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 JETTA, NEW BEETLE, NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE, MODEL YEAR 2009 JETTA SPORTWAGEN AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 RABBIT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES. THE JETTA, JETTA SPORTWAGEN, AND RABBIT VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE NEW BEETLE AND THE NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FASTENING CLAMP ON A HYDRAULIC HOSE OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT MAY BE LOCATED IN AN IMPROPER POSITION WHICH COULD CAUSE CHAFING AGAINST AN UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
IF CHAFING OCCURS, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A FUEL LEAK TO DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL LINE. ADDITIONALLY, DEPENDING ON THE VEHICLE MODEL, DEALERS WILL EITHER REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR, OR INSPECT THE POSITION OF THE FASTENING CLAMP AND ADJUST THE RELATED FASTENING CLAMP INTO THE CORRECT POSITION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 10V621000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, driveshaftMay 19, 2009
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 25,594 MY 2006-2009 JETTA 5TH GENERATION EQUIPPED WITH 2.01 ENGINE. THE FASTENING SCREW CONTACT SURFACES ON THE DRIVESHAFT COVER PLATE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. SOME SCREWS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED PROPERLY DURING ASSEMBLY AND COULD LOOSEN OVER TIME, CAUSING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS COULD LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE THE DRIVESHAFT DETACHES FROM THE GEARBOX.
IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE DETACHED DRIVESHAFT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE THE GEARBOX HOUSING. A DAMAGE GEARBOX HOUSING COULD LEAK GEARBOX OIL ONTO THE STREET AND CREATE A RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVESHAFT SCREWS AND REPLACE THE SCREWS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 09V164000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsSep 24, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." SOME VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD A REQUIRED CAP INSTALLED WHICH DISABLES THE HEADLIGHT HORIZONTAL AIM AND SOME VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN A CAP THAT DISABLES THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW.
NONCOMPLIANCE CAN INHIBIT PROPER HEADLAMP AIM ADJUSTMENT FOR ROADWAY ILLUMINATION, IMPROPERLY AIMED HEADLAMPS COULD CAUSE REDUCED ROAD VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE LOW BEAM HORIZONTAL AIMING SCREW AND INSTALL ONE IF MISSING, AND INSPECT FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CAP IN THE SOCKET OF THE VERTICAL AIMING SCREW AND IF PRESENT, THE CAP WILL BE REMOVED. THE RECALL WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 07V442000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, windshield wiper/washerJun 25, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L GASOLINE ENGINES MAY HAVE A SMALL PLASTIC TAB LOCATED ON THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR THAT MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE.
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHAFING HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A FUEL LEAK OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE PLASTIC TAB FROM THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR AND WILL ALSO INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE UNDERHOOD FUEL SUPPLY LINE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 07V284000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
32 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Nov 6, 2006
REGISTERED PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT: 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA HEADLIGHT SYSTEM : THE LOW BEAMS AND THE HIGH BEAMS ARE NOT INDEPENDENTLY ADJUSTABLE. WHILE THE LOW BEAMS ARE NORMAL TO GOOD QUALITY WHILE ILLUMINATING THE ROADWAY, THE HIGH BEAMS ARE SET TOO HIGH. THE HIGH BEAMS ARE NOT USABLE FOR NIGHT TIME DRIVING IN ''OPEN RANGE'' COUNTRY. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE ANYTHING ON THE ROADWAY AND ARE ESSENTIALLY USELESS. AN ESTIMATE IS AT ABOUT 100 FT DISTANCE IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THE CENTER OF THE HIGH BEAM IS ABOUT 10 FT ABOVE THE ROADWAY. TO SEE A PERSON OR ANIMAL ON THE ROADWAY AT A DISTANCE OF 500 FT IS IMPOSSIBLE. THE VW DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO LOWER THE HIGH BEAM AIM POINT. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE IN 50 YEARS OF DRIVING THAT I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH. *NM
Exterior lighting, Nov 6, 2006
THE HIGH BEAM HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ON MY 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI ARE DESIGNED IN A MANNER THAT I FEEL IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE DESIGN OF THESE HEADLAMPS IS SUCH THAT THE HIGH BEAMS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED INDEPENDENTLY OF THE LOW BEAMS. WHEN THE LOW BEAMS ARE AIMED CORRECTLY, THE HIGH BEAMS ARE AIMED FAR TOO HIGH TO BE EFFECTIVE. THIS HEADLAMP DESIGN COULD MOST DEFINITELY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY ARE EVEN CONSISTENT WITH THE DOT LIGHTING CODE. *NM
Exterior lighting, Nov 2, 2006
THE STANDARD (NON-XENON) HIGHBEAMS ON 2005 AND 2006 JETTAS ARE DEFECTIVE. DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, THEY DO NOT ADD ANY USEFUL LIGHT TO THE ROAD SURFACE, BUT ONLY ILLUMINATE THE TOPS OF TREES. THERE IS NO SEPARATE ADJUSTMENT FOR THE HIGHBEAM; THE HIGH AND LOW BEAMS MOVE AS A UNIT. IF YOU LOWER THE HIGHBEAM TO MAKE IT USEFUL, THE LOW BEAM BECOMES TOO LOW. *NM
Exterior lighting, Oct 22, 2006
BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON AFTER CAR IS SHUT OFF. *NM
Exterior lighting, May 23, 2006
UPON APPLICATION OF THE CAR'S BRAKE, THE UPPER REAR BRAKE LIGHT BLEEDS LIGHT INTO THE REAR WINDOW. THIS OBSCURES VISION THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW AT NIGHT, ESPECIALLY IN VERY LOW AMBIENT LIGHT CONDITIONS. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS UNDER WARRANTY, AND THEIR POSITION IS THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY OR DESIGN ISSUE. I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT YET DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW, BUT I DO CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *NM
Exterior lighting, Jan 9, 2006
ONE COMMENT I HAVE IS REGARDING THE REAR EXTERIOR TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. OTHER THAN THE SMALL ORANGE SIDE MIRROR INDICATORS WHICH ARE A MARGINAL BACKUP TO THE REAR TURN INDICATORS IT WAS STILL DIFFICULT TO SEE THE REAR TURN SIGNALS ESPECIALLY WHEN BRAKING AS THEY ARE RED, THE SAME COLOR AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS. WHEN I FOLLOWED MY SON HOME LAST NIGHT I KNEW HE WAS BRAKING BUT WITHOUT THE SMALL ORANGE MIRROR INDICATOR I HAD NO IDEA HE WAS TURNING. IS THERE ANY PLAN TO REPLACE THE REAR TURN SIGNAL LENSES WITH ORANGE COLORED LENSES? *JB
Exterior lighting, Nov 10, 2005
DURING PRODUCT EVALUATION, TEST DRIVE AND UPON DELIVERY OF MY NEW CAR, IT DID NOT INCLUDE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL). AFTER INITIAL SERVICE AT 5,000 MILES, THE CAR SUDDENLY INCLUDED DRL. THE DEALER EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS REQUIRED BY LAW TO ACTIVATE THIS FEATURE. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS FUNCTION DOES NOT INCLUDE AN OVERRIDE SWITCH, NOR DOES IT INCLUDE A DARKNESS SENSOR THAT ACTIVATES THE MAIN LIGHTS WHEN IT GETS DARK. THEREFORE, WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AS DUSK APPROACHES THE ROAD IS ILLUMINATED BY THE DRL, THE INSTRUMENT LIGHTS ARE ON, AND THERE IS NO ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE ACTUAL LIGHTS (INCLUDING TAIL LIGHTS) ARE NOT ACTIVE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS PRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD LEAD TO REAR-END COLLISIONS SIDE-IMPACT COLLISIONS AFTER DARK. *NM